Figure 8. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) alter zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) expression in brain endothelial cells.

Cells, either in mono-culture or co-cultured with astrocytes, were fixed and immunostained with an antibody against ZO-1 to evaluate its cellular localization and pattern of expression, as well as integrity of the monolayer. Disruption of the monolayer with gaps between endothelial cells (*), alterations in protein patterns (arrowheads) and perinuclear distribution (arrows) are indicated. Representative results from one of two independent experiments are shown. Scale bar, 20 µm.